Clamp for lamp-shades



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. F. GRISWOLD 85 R; A. WOODING,

CLAMP FOR-LAMP SHADES.

No. 276,030. Patented Apr. 17,1883.

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CLAMP FOR LAMP SHADES.

I No. 276,030. v Patented Apr. 17,1883.

Winesses. lw imflZT lea/c192 arelswolal- 5 I Z Z/ Z Wadi NITED 'TATE LEWIS F. GRISWOLD, OF MERIDEN, AND RALPH A. \VOODlNG, OF KENSING- TON, ASSIGNORS TO THE CHARLES PARKER COMPANY, OF MERIDEN,

CONNECTICUT.

CLAMP FOR LAMP-SHADES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 276,030, dated April 17, 1883.

Application filed March 8, 1883.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Lnwrs I GRISWOLD, of Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, and RALPH A. WOODING, of Kensington, in the county of Hartford and 'StateofConnecticut, both citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Lamp-Shades; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of specification.

This invention relates to devices for attaching lamp-shades directly to the harps used for.

suspending extension-lamps; and it consists chiefly in combining with a harp for extensionlamps (or with lam p-shade supports) cla mpingarms arranged in pairs at opposites sides thereof, these arms being adapted to bind against the shade when turned so as to separate their outer ends, but to release it when turned so as to bring their outer ends together.

The said invention further consists in providing these arms with devices, which hold them tightly against the lamp-shade when they have been turned into position to bind against the latter, as stated.

It further consists in making the holding or clamping devices automatic.

It consists, finally, in combining with alampharp a pair of arms pivoted together like scissors, anda spring bearing against studs formed thereon and operating to throw their outer ends apart, the said outer ends having hooks or flanges formed on them for grasping the upper edge or lower edge of the lamp-shade, and also handles or thumb-pieces formed on their inner ends to facilitate the release of the shade, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a lamp-harp, provided at its top with automatic clampingarms arranged in pairs, and at the bottom of its inclined part with clamping-arms arranged also in pairs, but held by screw-threaded studs and nuts. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same. Fig.3represents a vertical section of the (N0 model.)

same on the line was ofFig.2. Fig.4. represents a detail view of a pair of clamping-arms pivoted together and held by a screw-threaded stud; and Fig. 5represents a detail view, taken from above, of a pair of arms adapted to act automatically, as stated.

The same letters indicate the same parts in the several figures.

A designates a lamp-harp, and a shade, X, (shownin dotted lines, Figs. 1 and3,) is attached to it externally. The upper parts, A, of the two arms constituting this harp extend outward and downward, corresponding to the inclination of the lamp-shade X, and at the bottom of each inclined part, A, an external horizontal ledge, a, is formed. The upper end of each arm of the harp is flattened and extended outward to form a small ledge, a. To these ledges a and a are secured the clamping-arms C, which are arranged in pairs, and hold the shade in place. Each pair of these arms turns upon a stud, d, which is screw-threaded at least sutficiently to receive a nut, D, whereby they are prevented from separating from said harp. These arms turn horizontally on said studs. When the outer ends of each pair are separated their terminal books or flanges C bind against the lamp-shade and'hold it firmly in place. When these ends are brought together the shade is released. The flanges C are turned downward on those arms which grasp the neck at the upper end or edge of the lamp; but the flanges C which hold the lower rim or edge of the lamp are of course turned upward. The former are given more of a hook shape in order that they may catch into the neck, while the lower ones serve rather as stops. The four pairs of .arms thus spread apart hold the lamp-shade very firmly between them. They may be held thus spread by merely screwing the clamping-nut D tightly home on each pair after they have had their outer ends forced apart by the operators hands, as shown in the lower clamp-arms. We have, however,

found it very advantageous to provide for the automatic clamping of said arms against the shade and their more convenient and speedy with a spring, E, which is wound around stud d below the arms of said pair, the outer ends of said spring bearing against studs 0 on said arms, so as to force the latter apart and make them clasp the neck of the shade. By grasping the handles 0 and forcing them together the outer ends of said arms are brought together also and the shade is freed therefrom. Of course this automatic construction and arrangement of the arms may be adopted for those which hold the lower rim of said shade, instead of for those which hold the neck thereof; or either the automatic or non-automatic construction and arrangement may be adopted for all the pairs.

When the automatic construction and arrangement are adopted the trouble of attaching the shade is appreciably lessened and its separation is greatly facilitated. Perhaps, however, the best plan is that shown in Figs. 1 and 3, for the lower clamping-arms do not depend for their efliciency on the permanence of resiliency in the springs, while the upper ones facilitate the attachment and separation of the shade, as stated. Of course there will be no automatic action or separation by com pressing the pairs of handles if the nuts D be turned down too tightly. Their presence enables us to make those pairs of arms which are provided with springs automatic or not automatic at will. Of course a transverse key or other suitable retaining device might be substituted. Of course there is no need ofa sh adering when the harp is provided with these clamping-arms. Arms of this sort may, however, be attached to shade-rings and other forms of shade-supports. All such applications are within the spirit and scope of our invention, although the construction, combination, and arrangement shown are regarded as the best.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A pair of clamping-arms for holding a lamp-shade, said arms being flanged at their outer ends, pivoted together, and adapted to bind against said shade when their outer ends are spread apart, substantially as set forth.

2. A lamp-harp, in combination with pivoted pairs of clamping-arms attached thereto, and devices for spreading apart the outer ends of said arms, and thereby forcing flanges in said arms against the lamp-shade, substantially as set forth.

3. A pair of clamping-arms adapted to bind against a lamp-shade when their outer ends are spread apart, in combination with a harp or other shade-support and a detachable fastening which secures them thereto, substantiall y as set forth.

4. A pair of clamping-arms, in combination with a spring which forces their outer ends apart to clamp a lamp-shade, and a harp or other form of support to which said arms are pivoted, substantially as set forth.

5. A pair of clam ping-arms pivoted togetheron a harp or other support and having their inner ends shaped into handles for releasing the shade, in combination with a spring which automatically forces said arms apart to clamp said shade, substantially as set forth.

6. A pair of clamping-arms for holding a lamp-shade, in combination with a spring which forces the flanged ends of said arms against the shade, and a screw-threaded stud and nut, whereby the action of said arms is allowed to be automatic or not at will, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LnwIs F. GRISWOLD. RALPH A. WOODING.

Witnesses:

DEXTER W. PARKER, RALPH A. PALMER. 

